Background: Fluorosis is an endemic problem in many countries of the world.
Aims and Objectives: To see the effect of fluoride on the reproductive system and to see the role, if any, of vitamin D analog paricalcitol on it.
Materials and Methods: Sixty rabbits were divided into four equal groups. Group I was fed on standard diet, Group II vehicle-treated control, Group III on sodium fluoride (NaF) 20 mg/kg body weight, and Group IV on NaF + paricalcitol.
Result: In Group III (fed on NaF) significant decrease in sperm count (P < 0.001) and motility (P < 0.001) was seen compared with control. With vitamin D analog paricalcitol, there was a significant improvement in the sperm count (P < 0.001) and motility (P < 0.01). All of these significant changes were evident by histopathological evaluation of testicular biopsies.
Conclusion: Vitamin D analog paricalcitol treatment showed a significant improvement in reproductive functions.
Key words: Fluoride; Paricalcitol; Sperm; Histopathological Evaluation
|